Our chambers are named after William Ah Ket, an important figure in the history of the Victorian Bar and, more broadly, the legal profession in Australia.
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ABOUT
William Ah Ket
The Story Behind Our Name
Ah Ket Chambers a collective of barristers in Melbourne practising across a range of areas.
William Ah Ket signed the Bar roll in June 1904 and was the first barrister of Chinese origin to practise at the Victorian Bar.
His contemporary and colleague Sir Robert Menzies (Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister), described him as a “phenomenon at the Victorian Bar”.
He gained recognition for fighting discriminatory laws (such as the White Australia Policy) and appearing in a number of leading High Court cases.
Former Chief Justice of Australia the Hon. Susan Kiefel AC has said of Ah Ket:
His answer to the difficulties he faced appears to have been to succeed in what he did; to be a real part of the legal profession and to act at all times righteously, with courage.
Inspired by his example, we share a common goal of providing an independent, egalitarian, professional and approachable chambers environment.
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BARRISTER DIRECTORY
Members
of Ah Ket Chambers
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Practice Areas
Ah Ket Chambers
What we do
Ah Ket Chambers commenced operation on 1 July 2024 and was opened on 28 August 2024, at 500 Bourke Street, Melbourne, by her Honour Chief Justice Mortimer of the Federal Court of Australia and following a Welcome to Country delivered by Aunty Di Kerr, an Elder of the Wurundjeri People.
Our foundation members comprised 66 barristers including 15 Silks and 51 junior barristers, practising across a wide range of areas in all courts and tribunals, in mediations and arbitrations, before Royal Commissions and in other public inquiries.
Members of chambers regularly undertake pro bono work and public interest litigation on behalf of clients who could not otherwise access expert and experienced advocates.
The design of chambers emphasises collegiality and connectivity.
Both floors feature a number of modern well-quipped meeting rooms which are suitable for conferences, mediations as well as virtual hearings.
Common spaces encourage and facilitate collaboration and a sense of community.
Whereas each barristers’ room is a private suite with full-height partitions and advanced acoustic treatments to ensure privacy and confidentiality.
The Victorian Bar is known for its high ethical standards and commitment to the rule of law and access to justice.